Writer's Block: Educate Me

[veronica_rich]

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Well, sports have clearly been overhyped for a while, from a purely unbalanced standpoint. Fitness is important, but Christ, you can't really go out and learn calculus without some substantial help.

I think media consumerism should be taught to all high-schoolers - at least one semester. We have so many people who don't know how to critically examine news stories for bias or tell news from entertainment, or what to look for in a reputable news organization (not perfect or unflawed, but reputable), or who don't understand why they shouldn't get all their news from one source. We have so many people who blanket blame "the media" for society's ills without understanding WHY they should or shouldn't, and they could better understand the structure of how such an organization works (i.e. ownership, that the underpaid reporter doesn't pick the stories, what an editor is responsible for, etc.). Basic stuff it wouldn't take long to teach and would last a lifetime.

Comments

[a-silver-rose.livejournal.com]

My sixth-grade class was taught to balance a checkbook, and I had to take Consumer Ed in both Junior High and High School.

And do you realize you're advocating that schools teach something that will enable children to think for themselves? *gaspandswoon* Heaven forbid that the extremists tolerate that! (note sarcasm)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

It's a radical notion, I know, I know. There are adults who don't know how to think for themselves. (Pro tip: When you're calling the editor to complain about the government wasting money on specific businesses and specific numbers, it's a good idea to cite some source more ... research-oriented, than Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. I'm pretty sure I stumped the guy when I dryly remarked, "And we know how trustworthy THEIR information is." I wish people knew the difference between a pundit and a reporter.)